Williamson County shelter seeks donations after bond shortfall for expansion

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter Board discussed a shortfall in funding for its planned shelter expansion, and board members said the shelter is turning to donations to complete construction.

At the special-call meeting Thursday, board members reviewed a spreadsheet of expansion costs and were told recent bond proceeds will not cover the full cost of the top floor of the new building. The shelter has earmarked $124,500 in donations so far to help finish the top floor and create play yards, and members discussed continued fundraising to fill the remaining gap. Commissioner Valerie Covey noted the need to coordinate timing of facility repairs and site work so donor-funded work is not undone by construction sequencing.

The discussion did not include a finalized construction contract or an adopted financing plan; board members directed staff to continue fundraising and to update the budget spreadsheet with clearer splits between capital, general fund and donations where appropriate. The board did not take a formal vote on an expansion contract at the meeting.

Misty, who spoke in the director's report and during the expansion discussion, said the shelter has already begun collecting donations earmarked for the project. No specific additional funding sources beyond donations and bond proceeds were adopted during the meeting. The board plans further follow-up as fundraising and design details are finalized.